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Sarah Rose/ Daily Record An example of Fremont County Sheriff's Office trading cards.

Sarah Rose/ Daily Record Fremont County Sheriff's Office Capt. Don Pinover looks at some of the FCSO trading cards Tuesday.

He used to hand them out while riding a horse.

Now he hands them out while on foot.

Fremont County Sheriff's Office Capt. Don Pinover started a trading card program in 2000 when he was a Mounted Patrol deputy at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Photos of the deputies were printed on cards similar in size to baseball cards. On the back, a short biography, a safety message and the business that sponsored it were printed.

"It was a hit in Jefferson County," Pinover said, "It was easy for people to come up to the deputies when we were riding horses and ask for a card. People would collect them."

He started the program there after he received a trading card from an out-of-state law enforcement agency.

At the beginning of this year, Pinover began the trading card program in Fremont County.

He said he thought it was a great program to build relationships with individuals in the community. The deputies give out the cards to people for no cost.

"It really helps when you come across kids, and they say, 'I know you. I have your card,'" Pinover said, "...We hand them out at events, or on calls. It's a great way for our youth to get to know the deputies."

So far, there are about eight businesses sponsors. Each patrol deputy is sponsored by one business. Pinover would like to have at least another dozen sponsors. He said the cards are an excellent advertising tool for businesses.

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Lori Johnson, victim assistance director for the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, is in charge of the trading cards.

"I told her about the program, and she jumped on board. She is doing a great job. She's put a lot of time into it," Pinover said.

Businesses interested in sponsoring a deputy can call Johnson at (719) 276-5518. The cost is $125 for 1,000 cards.